Celtic were very fortunate to escape Easter Road with three precious Scottish Premiership points in midweek.
The Hoops were staring another draw in the face and yet another slip-up in the title race with Rangers right on Celts’ heels.
But on-loan striker Adam Idah was on hand to power home his second spot-kick of the night to secure a dramatic 2-1 win in the capital.
Celtic were extremely lacklustre in the second-half after playing fairly well in the first period. They went into the interval 1-0 up thanks to Idah’s 10th minute penalty but it wasn’t all plain-sailing.
That’s because Celtic suffered the disappointment and worry of seeing Alistair Johnston having to be stretchered off with a nasty head knock which actually resulted in the penalty award by referee Nick Walsh.
Johnston rose high inside the box to win an aerial challenge but Hibs defender Nectarios Triantis was very late and pounded the side of the Canadian’s face with his own head.
Triantis took a sore one but Johnston appeared to be momentarily knocked out cold and was taken off the field after a very lengthy delay.
It meant Anthony Ralston was brought on to replace Johnston and in some ways, it worked out well for Celtic as the Scotsman put in a very good substitute display.
Josip Juranovic message to Anthony Ralston
Ralston finished the game with a 100% passing accuracy rate having made 35 and converted two out of two accurate long balls forward [Fotmob].
He also made four clearances and won 67% of his tackles, one of which was the catalyst for Celtic getting forward again in stoppage time and winning a penalty after Joe Newell challenged Kyogo Furuhashi inside the box.
His display – which was just his third for Celtic since the middle of December – was an assured one and it prompted his former Hoops teammate Josip Juranovic to send him an encouraging message on Instagram.
Juranovic donned the green and white of Celtic for two very successful years before completing a £7.5m switch to Union Berlin in January 2023.
And it’s clear he still keeps an eye on Celtic and his ex-teammates’ progress. Ralston posted on Instagram after the Hibs game with: “Hard fought win 💪🏼 onto the next 💚”.
Juranovic then replied: “My 🧱 on 🔥!!”
Frozen out Gustaf Lagerbielke also sent praise towards Anthony Ralston by tagging him as the ‘supersub’ of the Hibs win.
Alistair Johnston’s injury sent him to hospital but he looked in good fettle considering what he went through in the capital.
It’s unsure how long the right-back will be sidelined for but Ralston will be hoping he can now cement a place in the team over the next few games and give Brendan Rodgers something to think about when Johnston is available again.
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